Computers

asked the Prime Minister how many computers are currently in use in the United Kingdom in all Government Departments; and if she will split this figure between the main areas, namely, the National Health Service, local government, central Government, the nationalised industries, and so on.

There are currently more than 650 large and medium-sized computers in use in the United Kingdom in central Government Departments for administrative and scientific purposes. Details of these were published with the May 1981 edition of "Management Services in Government", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. In addition, over 700 micro-computers are in use in central Government Departments. Figures for the number of computers in the National Health Service, local government and nationalised industries are not available centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.